I have a couple of questions re: 32's of recent manufacture by S&W.
1) Did they ever chamber a rev. for 327 Fed Mag. (seems I remember one). If so, are they available anywhere?
2) I'm trending down in recoil/caliber and am interested in getting an S&W in either .327 or .32 mag (H&R?) for some casual shooting (prefer 6" L or K frames). Is there any such beast available these days. I did check the S&W website but couldn't find anything.
Any thoughts always appreciated....THANKS,
John

Get a 16-4 - not cheap but works great for your purpose and can be reamed to .327

The 16-4s are the only K frames available in 32 H&R Mag and as challer61 says should meet your need nicely. While they can be reamed to .327 I wouldn't do it as the 32 H&R mag does everything I want it to do. Not sure you'll find a lot of difference between the four and six inch barrel versions; they shoot about the same for me. Good luck, I've seen a couple for sale recently, I think one of them was right here on the "for sale" side of the Forum.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

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I would like to see an 8 shot K or L frame in 327 Federal.

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

The Model 632 Pro Series was available in .327 Federal for a short time. When one comes up for sale occasionally, it usually takes around $1500 to buy it. .32 H&R was produced in the 631/632, 431/432 and 331/332. These were, again, produced for only a short time. When you can find one, expect to pay in the vicinity of $1000. As stated, the only other option is the K frame Model 16-4. Expect to pay a minimum of $1000, if you are really lucky.

The only other option for a S&W revolver is to purchase a decent 30-1 or 31-1 chambered in .32 S&W Long. The cylinder in the dash 1 can be reamed to accept .32 H&R. And that's as far as you can go.

If you do not have any objection to carrying around a tank, the Ruger SP-101 can be had in .327. Or if you don't mind carrying ugly, the LCR in .327.

Lastly, if a .32 H&R is on the table, Charter Arms produces a few. I, for one, am tired of waiting for S&W to come out with a decent concealable revolver in .327. Looks like a Ruger is in my future.

Edit to add: I forgot that the Ruger GP100 can be had in .327, if you want an even heavier tank.

__________________
SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

There's also the 632-1 three inch in 327 Fed but they aren't often seen for sale. However, for the OP's purposes and wanting a K frame the 16-4 seems the best option.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

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The 632-1 came in at least two versions. A black stainless and the traditional satin stainless.
Here's the black stainless one:

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Johnnu2,

It would appear that you are yet another enthusiast who has discovered that the ideal platform for the relatively small but very powerful 327 Federal Magnum is the "mid-sized" K-frame or even the heavy medium L-frame. Once I determined that there is not now and apparently no planned gun like this in the works, I built one in Project 616. The discussion of it on this forum of this and similar projects exposed the interest that exists for such a "new model" shows you aren't the first, nor will you likely be the last to figure out what a great idea this would be.

There seem to have been quite a few Model 16-4s modified by the simple expedient of running a chamber reamer into each chamber to extend them to 327 depth, much to the horror of collecting purists... but the results have apparently been gratifyingly successful. The problem is finding a 16-4 to buy and modify.

I agree that the L-frame with more than 6 round capacity presents a very promising possibility. The 8 shot Ruger Blackhawk and Single Seven models show that this can be a very successful configuration. I own one of the 8-shooters and find it, even with 5 1/2" barrel, to be about as handy as my 4" barrel on the K-frame "616."

I wonder if a letter writing campaign to S&W would do any good at all?

Froggie

I managed to talk myself out of the 3" barreled version by reasoning it would likely be as loud or louder than my 60-10 .357, and would be less powerful, too. I hate it when I do that.

If it makes you feel any better, you were probably right about the noise. A full house 327 FM is a fire breathing ground stomper! OTOH, as far as power is concerned, that same full house 327 is about the ballistic equivalent of a +P 38 Spl.

Froggie

I agree with you that the 3 inch barrel would
be loud with the stupid power port in front. I relented and have bought 5 ruger's in 327, as well as cornering the USFA market in 327.

The hottest 327 Mag loads, the 100g AE and Speer Gold Dots are WAY beyond +P 38 Special level. In a 2" S&W 49, Remington's 158g LSWCHP +P 38 Special (the current "FBI Load equivalent?) showed 820fps and 236 lb/ft of energy. In a 2" Ruger LCR, Speer's 100g Gold Dot JHP showed 1259fps and 352 lb/ft of energy. (I did not chronograph the AE round with the LCR, but the AE and Gold Dot rounds were essentially identical out of a 4 3/4" Ruger Single Seven.) BTW, Froggie's description of a full house 327 load as a fire breathing ground stomper is absolutely correct. Shooting one without good hearing protection risks serious hearing damage. And I suspect letting one off indoors without hearing protection would guarantee at least some permanent damage.

You can exceed the energy of Remington's +P 38 Special with Buffalo Bore's 100g JHP round in 32 H&R Magnum - 1100fps and 269 lb/ft of energy out of a 2" S&W 432. Physics being what it is, it kicks as much as the +P 38 Special, but this has become my daily carry package. I get one extra shot, and have a LOT more fun shooting more "normal" 32 H&R rounds for practice.

BTW, I have both a 30-1 and 31-1 that have been reamed to take 32 H&R. Buffalo Bore has advised that their 100g +P round is safe for "unlimited use" in both of those guns. And both of those guns are a pleasure to shoot, even for up to a dozen or so of the BB hotties. But the LCR is NO fun to shoot with the hot 327 rounds. From my experience with it I have NO interest in a J frame in 327 Federal, and I'll get rid of the 327 LCR one of these days.

I know you want a S&W but since they have determined that the .327 is a worthless cartridge you may want to try a GP100... They are every bit as nicely made as currently made Smiths and they at least they are listening to those who want .327s and .41 Magnums... If it wasn't for Ruger both rounds would be about dead....so that is where my "new" gun revolver money goes...

I've had or have .327s/.32 H&Rs in:
Freedom Arms 97 6.5"
S&W Model 53 6" converted to .327
Ruger GP-100 4" stainless
Ruger LCR 2"
Ruger SP-101 3" AS
S&W 632-2 PRO
Single-Six .32 H&R (about a half dozen of them over the years)
S&W 16-4 4"

Would suggest you look at the limited edition Ruger GP-100 in blue with a 5" barrel and 1/2 underlug barrel....very nice balance and the 5" barrel is "just right"....it is the next .32 on my list...

Bob

ps...this is what you are looking for...but S&W never bothered making them...

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Inspired by Green Frog and a 2009 article in American Handgunner, I built a 616 myself and couldn't be happier. I also have the 16-4/reamed. That said, an L frame 8 round is the gun SW should build.

Have a GP100 .327 and just don't like it. Same with the Ruger Blackhawk 8 shot. Both are coming up for sale.

Many thanks for the replies; that's the info I was hoping for. Looks like I'm looking for that 16-4 6". I have to admit that I'm looking at S&W primarily because I like the looks over the other makers offerings; I'm a big Ruger fan since the early 70's. I have an FA mod.97 with dual cyls (.32-30... another favorite cartridge of mine) and just thought an S&W would be a nice addition. I do hand-load so I'm OK for ammo. Thanks again for all the very helpful responses....
John

I like the .32 Magnum much more than the .327. Just the right power level for everything but "combat duty". And for that, I have lots of other choices.

Unfortunately, the day of revolver dominance is past and bottom feeders get all the love in most factories, including even S&W and Colt, who built their respective empires on revolvers.

Add to that the fact that the 32 family of cartridges never got got that much love in the first place (with a few notable exceptions like TR’s NYC-PD) and the likelihood of seeing major manufacturers releasing a broad selection of 327s is unfortunately low. It remains for the enthusiasts to track down and enjoy the few that are available, but don’t look for mass production. More’s the pity.

Froggie

The ones that like bottom feeders most of the time can't shoot very well, where the revolver is a gun for the one shot one hit guy!

There's no recent activity on this thread about the 327 fed Mag, but I just found you, I have a S&W carry Comp 3" in 327 Fed Mag and someone made the comment that this round is the equivalent of a 38+P, obviously that person has not shot this round. I also have a Ruger LCRX in same caliber in the short barreled version and also a Airweight frame S&W 32 H&R mag in the hammered SA/DA version. In addition I have shot a model 60 357 Mag and I also have other J frames in 38 Spec as well as one in 38 Spec +P. I do not have a chrono to check velosities and all I have are my eyes , ears and hands to evaluate what I shoot. there was a article done by Shooting times , its on the internet, that discussed this Model 632 carry comp and they did compare ballistic data on these cartridges and the data specifically stated that the muzzle energy of the 327 exceeded the 357 date by 10% at the muzzle. I have shot them and that little 327 Carry comp weighs 24 1/2 ozs and the felt muzzle energy is every bit as much as the 158 grain feelt muzzle energy, granted the model 60 barrel is about an inch shorter but it did not have a Port in the barrel to reduce the muzzle flip the 327 did. I truly believe from shooting them the 3227 has every bit as much energy as the 357, and even though the 327 carry's only one more round the one extra round is a 20% increase on ammo over the 357 so it gets my vote. I agree with the assesment that the K frame would be an ideal choice for this great little round, but honestly the 32 S&W Longs and the 32 H&R rounds are more fun to shoot in my set up in both the S&W as well as that Ruger

I have a sp101 in 327 and a single seven in 327. I really like the cartridge. Very versatile guns because there’s so many different types of ammo. 32,32 long,32 mag,327 even 32 acp. The short comings is that all the 32 calibers are hard to find local or expensive. Need some dies for it. I would love to have a k frame snub nose with fixed sights in 327. Id like a Henry in that caliber too.

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Bobby SWCA #4067
SWHF #1144

FWIW...i carry a bobbed hammer 431PD. I use Georgia Arms 32 H&R magnum hollow points in it. 270 foot pounds out of the small 6-shot is plenty for me. I believe thats about the same energy as my 38+P i use in my S/W 638. I get extra round though with the 32 Mag revolver

I'm afraid that S&W will not be the manufacturer we can depend on, they seem to have abandoned the .327 Mag. as well as .32 H&R Magnum. Only they know why they are not interested but I can say for sure they have caused me to buy the Ruger brand just so I could own these calibers. Now to convince the COMPANY to reconsider their decision and make some more for us.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

FWIW, my chrono measurements for the GA Arms 100g JHP gave a velocity of 895fps from a model 432, for energy of 193 foot pounds. The Buffalo Bore 100g JHP out of the same gun had a velocity of 1100fps, for energy of 269 foot pounds. I've shot Remington's 158g LSWCHP 38 Special +P out of a model 49 and measured 820fps for energy of 236 foot pounds.

The Buffalo Bore 32 H&R and Remington +P 38 Special rounds feel pretty similar to me when shot from similar (aluminum or steel) J frame guns - neither is much fun for many rounds, especially so if I don't have grips that cushion the backstrap. The GA Arms round feels considerably less potent. Again, to me.

Happy to have picked this up this past weekend.
ETA:
Oops, forgot pic.

Was finally able to load...
632-2 pro series in .327 Fed mag.

Like challer61 I was inspired my froggie to build some .327 Federal K Frames. I collected the parts and had Andy Horvath build a 4" and an 8 3/8" gun. I really enjoy them and they both shoot very well. Not cheap but then again I've never run into another one at the range.

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Bet the .327 really shines in that 8"...
I think the K frame and .327 are a perfect match.

Jack,

If that thing had an exposed hammer, I’d be beating down your door and waving a fistful of dollars! I’m really an adjustable sights kinda guy, but I could make an exception in this case. Great find, my cousin amphibian!

Froggie

PS The adjustable sighted 631 with 3 or 4” barrel is my dream small 32, but I could overcome my aversion to gimmicky features and go for that fluted barrel. That’s sweet!

What parts did you end up using? You can easily guess what I have in mind to do.
Scott

Scott I used a well worn Model 19 as the base gun. I bought the Model 16-4 8 3/8" barrel on ebay for too much money. Then I did the same for the .22lr cylinder. Andy assembled it and I added the target hammer and trigger and did a bit of action work. Not cheap but it's exactly what I wanted.

The 4" gun was more of the same only I used a model 15 as the donor gun. You can see in the photo that there is a slight gap where the underlug meets the frame. The result of the Model 15 not having an underlug. I called the 19 project my "kit gun".

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CScott, you asked somebody else I know but as a two time 32 builder of different variants on the theme I’ll chime in with my input, forgive me if you already knew all of this. It might be worth your effort to go back and read two old threads, the latest describing my “faux K-32” and the earlier one about my “Project 616, the gun S&W should have built but didn’t.”

For both of my builds I used a K-frame 38 or 357, had a K-22 cylinder (6 round, of course) altered to one degree or another, then got a 32 barrel, one factory (a near mythical feat itself) and one 22 barrel rebored. Some folks just start with a K-22 revolver of some vintage, but then you have to pay extra to convert the frame to center fire.

From a financial standpoint it makes little to no sense unless you just decide you simply can’t do without one, but the stainless version was never available from the factory and the blue ones are so *#@+* hard and expensive to find they might as well have not made any!

Although S&W made a limited number of J-frames chambered in 327, even I am willing to admit this may have been too much of a good thing. YMMV. I certainly wouldn’t pay a premium to get one.

A little OT, we’ve also discussed the idea of a L-frame 327 with a seven or eight shot cylinder, but that would involve the challenge of making a cylinder from scratch as well as the barrel problem. I’ve got the Ruger Blackhawk eight shooter in 327 and it’s definitely a stud hoss! Debate rages whether the RBH or the proposed L-frame is “too much gun” for the “little” 32 caliber round, but don’t confuse me with the facts, I’ve already made up my mind!

Froggie

Andy built 2 guns in .32 long for me in the past. Gave him a model 17 for one and a 15 for the other which ended up a PPC gun with a heavy barrel I was lucky to find. Just had the 4” 16-4 reamed for .327 recently by Andy.

The last was gonna be a project by me, had Andy make a .22 cylinder into a .327. Bought a 15 for the frame, pulled the barrel and tried to fit the cylinder. Too long. NO LUCK, gave it to Andy last week to do his magic. Now the 2-3 month wait. “Remember that Froggie”. *It will end up being a 3” full lug in .327 with a Weigand interchangeable front sight base*. He will fit the cylinder, cut the 4” barrel to 3” and call me to get it. He will stamp the barrel with .327 & Horvath Custom. I will round butt it myself then decide on blue or hard chrome. Will do a thread on it when done. Larry

I was wondering about that as I have an unfired 3" 31-1 flat latch complete with box and paperwork and was measuring the cylinder length and it seemed it was long enough. I would sell it before modifying it though. Would rather pick up and modify a shooter grade 31-1. Would it really stand up to the H&R?

Just to verify the scarcity of .32 barrels I didn't realize it at the time but when I was waiting for Andy to build my .327 Federal gun I looked up Froggie's post that inspired me and found that it had taken me 3 years to find the barrel on ebay. To be fair I never posted a WTB on any of the forums.

I just did some research on my computer. I started reading Froggies 616 project thread the day he started it 7-26-12. It took until 6-20-15 to acquire the cylinder and barrel. I had the completed gun it my hands 1-25-16. So besides the dollar investment you will need a peck of patience.

I've read and re-read the project 616 thread! I keep talking myself out of doing a similar project. I have a Mod 632 that I like very much but a longer barreled K Frame just keeps calling to me.

C. Scott

If I’m not mistaken, the GP100 is a 7 or 8 shot configuration.

I tried bidding on a S&W revolver in .327 Federal a few years ago on one of the big gun auction sites.

I say tried because the price went asymptotic instantly and the sale closed before I got the "What the .." out.

So, I ended up buying a Ruger SP-101 in .327 Federal. It's rather a fun gun to shoot, but the Federal American Eagle ammo is about the filthiest "smokeless" powder ammo ever made. Seriously, Federal, clean up your act. That stuff is practically black powder.

A while later, I decided to get a Charter Arms "Undrcoverette" in .32 H&R magnum. It's actually a great little gun. I don't really care for the plastic grip frame and trigger guard, but it shoots well and is very concealable. And Georgia Arms .32H&R magnum ammo is great. And it will shoot cleaner in the Ruger.

__________________
Ray
SWCA 3472

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love the 32s and loved Project 616 of Froggies but I can't see the patience
or the funds when compared to the cost and immediate gratification of the Ruger.

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SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

That is the reason I have 5 Ruger's in 327, 4 USFA's in 32-20/327 mag and two S&W 16-4's that I reamed the cylinder to accommodate the 327 cartridge.
Later I purchased a 632 and 632-2 and they cost almost what the 5 ruger's did combined!!

The 327 magnum round fired from my LCR is more than I'd ever want to shoot for fun. You NEED double ears at an indoor range, and seems more violent than shooting 357 mags from my 627 N frames. Stupid powerful! As a carry gun I decided on the 32 H&R rounds, as I could imagine using it in close quarters for it's intended purpose.

I'd love to build an 8 shot 32 caliber revolver for USPSA competition. What say you experts?

I'm glad that Ruger has kept the 327 Magnum alive as it is one of my favorite revolver calibers. The 16-4 is a really good platform for the 327 but we'll probably never see S&W produce a 32 caliber revolver again. I'm just happy I own a couple 16-4s to compliment my Ruger in 327 Magnum.

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Sure it would. Both the 30-1 or 31-1 are "full size" J frame revolvers. The .32 H&R generates not near the pressure of the .327 Federal. If a J frame can handle the .327, then it would be no problem to handle the .32 H&R.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

My J frame 327 is a stainless Steel frame gun and a stainless steel cylinder even though looks blue/black finish, I also have a Ruger LCRX THAT HAS A SS cylinder and a steel frame where other calibers have a polymer frame the Rugers are also steel frames in 357 mags and the 9mm LCR/LCRX I believe are also steel due to the pressures of the rounds, I have two S&W 32 H&R mag J frames one is an airweight and the other is a SS there’s gotta be acreason they did not make the 357 or 327 in that alloy frame or polymer frame

I have a 30-1 converted to 32 Magnum. It is a shooter not a collector but it is a great shooter. Mine has a 3" barrel and gets a little more velocity and a better sight radius. Buffalo bore ammo makes it a hot defense carry also. Here is a photo before I changed it to a longer barrel.

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__________________
SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

A .327 with a 3” Full Lug barrel is a nice carry gun. S&W never made one so I did, thanks Andy Horvath. Good for winter carry but somewhat bulky for summer under a T shirt. Larry

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I have a 16-4 that I had reamed for .327 Federal Mag. Also had a cylinder made for .32-20 WCF and another one made for .32 S&W Long.

Nice bgrafsr. After building myK32 Homage ( My Faux K-32 is Here! ) a my stinlass K327 ( Project 616 ) I’ve thought how nice it would be to add a 32-20 cylinder to one or both of them. I’ve just gotta get “a round tuit!”
Froggie